When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

BBC's popular Race Across the world returned to our screens in March, delighting fans of the hit travel show.

The show has contestants competing in pairs on a race through a series of countries, using only land-based modes of transport, with no phones and a shoestring budget to get by.

The winners bag a £20,000 cash prize.

The new series kicked off on March 8 with a fresh line-up of hopeful travellers and viewers were keen to find out all they could about the budding travellers.

Among the chosen hopefuls were a chalet host, a landscape gardener and a businessman.

BBC filmed the new series back in September 2019, before current lockdown measures were introduced, and had contestants embark on a journey of sixteen countries in order to complete the Race Across the World 2020 route.

The contestants started their endeavour in Mexico City with the aim of reaching the most southerly city in the world – Ushuaia in Argentina.

Due to the show's popularity, the BBC have confirmed a celebrity series will follow - though filming of the spin-off has been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

So who are this year's contestants and what do they do when they're not jet-setting across the globe?

Emon and Jamiul

The uncle and nephew team were the winners (Image: BBC)

Uncle and nephew team Emon and Jamiul were the winners on the show.

They come from Oldham in Lancashire.

35-year-old Emon spent 10 years apart from Jamiul, 25, before reuniting at a family wedding three months before the race.

The pair had been estranged after Emon left the family when he refused to partake in an arranged marriage.

Speaking to the BBC, Emon said of his reasons for joining the show: "My nephew motivated me to do this challenge - since we have rekindled our relationship, it would be a fantastic journey to go on with him and I wouldn't do this challenge with anyone else.

"I was a very active explorer back in my twenties, but I've recently become lazy in my lifestyle. I also want to do this before starting my own family."

Read More

Related Articles

Read More

Related Articles

As a child, Rob suffered from Cholesteatoma, a condition which has left him deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other.

On his Instagram page, he describes himself as a "tech and innovation geek" and adds he's also a "happy husband".

He works as a systems engineer while Jen is a resourcing consultant.

Dom and Lizzie

The finalists of Race Across the World

Brother and sister pairing Dom and Lizzie Slater come from Wetherby in West Yorkshire.

Though they were born just 16 months apart, the siblings drifted apart in their teenage years, seeing each other only three times a year, so they signed up for the show in a bid to rebuild their relationship.

Dom also wanted to use travel to drum up inspiration after recently dropping out of university.

The 22-year-old told Yorkshire Live : "Also, at this stage in my life I’m not sure what’s next for me, I've recently dropped out of university and I feel like I’m lacking inspiration and motivation.

"I want this experience to give me some perspective and help me take the next step."

Dom works as a teaching assistant while 21-year-old Lizzie is a chalet host.

Dom and Lizzie finished in third place on the show after cash struggles left their transport options limited.

Jo and Sam

Jo and Sam in Peru (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert)

Mum and son team Jo and Sam are from Manchester.

Jo first went backpacking over 30 years ago but said it was her dream to travel with her son.

The mum said she wanted to teach her 19-year-old son Sam, who has ADHD, how to explore the world while supporting him before he decides to take on adventures of his own.

Of her reasons for taking part in the competition, Jo said: "Adventure and travel with my son, to be able to challenge myself again and regain my zest for life.